All posts by markwcarbone

I have 36 years experience in K-12 education. I have been fortunate to work in many different roles including teacher, department head, ICT consultant, IT Manager and CIO. Personal interests include performing in the Venturi Winds woodwind quintet, the Cambridge Symphony and the KW Community Orchestra as well as composing and arranging music. Connect, Learn, Reflect & Share - make a difference today!

GAFE, OSAPAC, PD, ProfessionalLearning

Google Classroom Goes Live at WRDSB

August 15, 2014 markwcarbone 1 Comment

This has definitely been a week of anticipation. I am always excited for CATC Camp, our summer self directed, self paced learning opportunity for staff that focuses on technology enabled learning, effective use of digital tools and digital resources.

The first two days of camp have been awesome! Based on an email I received from Google on Monday of this week, I also knew that we were getting close, REALLY close on the activation of the Google Classroom feature of our GAFE (Google Apps for Educators) environment. I had been sporadically checking all week … not yet … not yet. I tried once more just before supper tonight – not yet. I was beginning to feel like this was the watched tea kettle that wouldn’t boil.

As we were setting up for our post dinner newstime, I thought why not try one last time for today. YIKES – there is was – installed and active. It felt like Christmas in August, and was SO MUCH FUN making the surprise announcement to our CATC Camp attendees. I wished I had thought to record the reaction in the room – instant energy, excitement and applause.

Well, this was a perfect opportunity to offer a quick tour and orientation for interested staff. No problem – Andrew Bieronski jumped into action and provided a nice spontaneous workshop. In the 75 minutes following the announcement, staff were tweeting, re-tweeting about the announcement, sharing and exploring. Some went ahead and set up their 14/15 classes and added the first student assignment. My initial observation was that Google Classroom was easy & intuitive to use, and that support needs would be minimal.

A reaction shared by many!

Making Discoveries

I am looking forward to implementing this tool for classroom educators in our system. Now, I wonder what the next WRDSB hosted GAFE Summit will look like?

~Mark

Connected Learner, Connected Learning, GAFE, PLN, ProfessionalLearning

Learning at CATC Camp Day 2

August 15, 2014 markwcarbone Leave a comment

[View the story “Learning at CATC Camp (Day 2)” on Storify]

~Mark

Connected Learner, Connected Learning, ProfessionalLearning

Learning at CATC Camp (Day 1)

August 14, 2014 markwcarbone Leave a comment

[View the story “Learning at CATC Camp (Day 1)” on Storify]

Leadership Perspective, OSSEMOOC, ProfessionalLearning

Just Make it Public

August 5, 2014 markwcarbone 5 Comments

As things continue to evolve in education, I have been very encouraged by continued and growing dialogue around the importance of sharing professional practice(s), resources and personal reflections. I support this thinking and practice whole heartedly.

However, from my perspective, there is a BUT. Make that a giant

I am concerned that many of these conversations continue with the notion that some private structure or service should be created to house this information.

Sharing should be personalized! — put your thoughts, reflections and ideas ON YOUR OWN BLOG. Allow the global community of educators the privilege of searching, finding, reading, re-reading, sharing, curating, linking and commenting on your blog posts.

Your thinking MATTERS. Period.

Not blogging yet? Sign up for one today.

Want to change practice and blog with other educators? Watch the OSSEMOOC website for opportunities this fall.

~Mark

reblogged

Considering PBL

July 30, 2014 markwcarbone Leave a comment

This post is a cross post from my original in the OSSEMOOC June 2014, 30 days of collaborative blogging “Picture and Post” series.

Today’s post compliments some of our related OSSEMOOC posts on Project Based Learning (PBL).

I really like the reference to PBL as an element in eLearning, and arguably blended learning by extension. The video referenced in this tweet, may be of interest to you as you reflect on the 13/14 school year, and look towards Sept. 2014.

Watch the video referenced in the tweet above.

~Mark

General, Just pondering, Things That Caught My Eye

Back to the Future Tablet Style

July 25, 2014 markwcarbone Leave a comment

During a recent trip to the Netherlands, we had the opportunity to visit the Netherlands Open Air Museum & Park. It is an interesting stop. Additional information is available in this Wikipedia article.

One of the points of interest at the site was the Village School (Lhee Dr.) originally built in 1750, relocated in 1953. The interior as you see it in my photos is vintage 1800-1830.

I have added comments to each photo applying a current educational lens.

A peek in the door: open space and welcoming.

Central heating, flexible space (no rows!), support for small group instruction and a respectful design reflecting that learning is social.

Evidence of the use of mobile tablets to support personal educational experiences.

Hands on, independent use of tablets. It looks like they are actually drawing on the screens so I am assuming that these are not touch-screens. I wonder about the wifi access.

On a more serious note, this early classroom was certainly forward looking in many respects. Perhaps they were simply learning while waiting for the thinking around the C’s and the whole ‘internet thing’ to become a reality.

~Mark

reblogged

Condition vs Threshold

July 22, 2014 markwcarbone Leave a comment

Today’s post, a cross post from my original in the OSSEMOOC June 2014, 30 days of collaborative blogging “Picture and Post” series, is a good example of connected learning. This recent tweet from Julie Balen resonates with me.

Watch the video:

I look forward to your comments.

~Mark

reblogged

PBL: Where to Start

July 17, 2014 markwcarbone Leave a comment

This post is a cross post from my original in the OSSEMOOC June 2014, 30 days of collaborative blogging “Picture and Post” series. I am reposting it as I think raises a point of consideration.

I spotted this Twitter post from Lisa Neale this morning. My initial reaction was why wouldn’t you start with a question?